Texas Tech hosts Sam Houston State Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in the season opener for both teams.
Here are the top five storylines leading up to this weekend.
Who will lead the offense on to the field?
Let’s get the obvious question out of the way – will the starting quarterback be Pat Mahomes or Davis Webb? Kliff Kingsbury has made it clear that we will not know until Saturday, but he also indicated earlier this week that the starter already knows. Most Red Raider fans are assuming it’s Mahomes, but until No. 5 trots onto the field with the offense on the first drive, that will remain unanswered.
Kingsbury also said this week that he likes Mahomes’ ability to extend plays and Webb’s ability to make checks at the line – which attribute will give the 2015 Red Raiders a higher ceiling?
Both players could play this week, so perhaps the real question is: how much will this one game decide who gets the start versus UTEP and beyond?
Will the Red Raiders win convincingly?
Texas Tech is favored by more than two touchdowns in Saturday’s opener, but early struggles in 2014 against UTEP and Central Arkansas were the beginning signs of a long season for the Red Raiders. The Red Raiders managed to win those two games by a combined total of 11 points last season to start out 2-0, but finished at a dismal 4-8 (2-7 in Big 12). Because of that, many Red Raider fans are holding their breath until the game is over and the scarlet and black is 1-0.
Sam Houston State ranks in the top five nationally among FCS schools in both major polls and returns 21 starters from last year’s team, which made it to the FCS semifinals. The Bearkats have more than 20 former FBS players on their roster.
Should the Red Raiders win? Absolutely, but this isn’t your typical directional school walk-in-the-park non-conference win.
Will Texas Tech’s offense put up the type of numbers that fans expect?
Fans in Raiderland are used to seeing one of the nation’s most productive offenses on Saturdays. Last year’s Red Raiders finished 10th in the NCAA in total offense: fifth in pass offense and 80th in rush offense. Can this year’s group surpass that and will it result in more wins?
Tech returns nine starters on offense, including two quarterbacks with starting experience, big-play threats in receivers Jakeem Grant and Devin Lauderdale and running back DeAndre Washington - who rushed for more yards in 2014 than any Red Raider has the past decade. Up front, four seniors and one junior will start on the offensive line in what is the most experienced o-line group in recent history.
On paper, all of the pieces are there for this year’s offense to make a big step forward. Assuming the Red Raiders win this game, the margin of victory will likely be a reflection of how well the offense can get in sync. Whether it’s an accurate assessment or not, the final score will inevitably cause Red Raider fans to raise or lower their expectations for the season.
How much will the defense be improved?
Reports have stated the Red Raiders defense is ahead of schedule under first year defensive coordinator David Gibbs, but how will that translate on the field when it comes to improving last year’s numbers? Texas Tech ranked 95th in pass defense and 120th in rush defense in 2014, those numbers have to go up right?
Ultimately this will come down to three things: third downs, forced turnovers and points allowed. The Red Raiders return seven starters from last year and several others that saw plenty of meaningful minutes. Virtually all of Tech’s defensive line returns from last year as well as a young secondary that showed flashes at times in 2014.
How will the front seven fare on defense?
The defensive line is a very experienced group with seniors Branden Jackson, Rika Levi, Demetrius Alston, Pete Robertson, Keland McElrath and Marcus Smith all back. Add blue-chip recruit, true freshman Breiden Fehoko and this unit has a chance to redeem themselves from last year's 120th ranked run defense.
On the other hand, the linebacker corps is the most inexperienced group on either side of the football, with senior middle linebacker Micah Awe being the most seasoned of the group. How much the Red Raiders run defense will improve will largely depend on how quickly Kris Williams, Malik Jenkins, Sam Atoe and Dakota Allen can adjust and how quickly this group can mature.
Big strides with the front seven could mean a much better season than last year for Texas Tech.
Here are the top five storylines leading up to this weekend.
Who will lead the offense on to the field?
Let’s get the obvious question out of the way – will the starting quarterback be Pat Mahomes or Davis Webb? Kliff Kingsbury has made it clear that we will not know until Saturday, but he also indicated earlier this week that the starter already knows. Most Red Raider fans are assuming it’s Mahomes, but until No. 5 trots onto the field with the offense on the first drive, that will remain unanswered.
Kingsbury also said this week that he likes Mahomes’ ability to extend plays and Webb’s ability to make checks at the line – which attribute will give the 2015 Red Raiders a higher ceiling?
Both players could play this week, so perhaps the real question is: how much will this one game decide who gets the start versus UTEP and beyond?
Will the Red Raiders win convincingly?
Texas Tech is favored by more than two touchdowns in Saturday’s opener, but early struggles in 2014 against UTEP and Central Arkansas were the beginning signs of a long season for the Red Raiders. The Red Raiders managed to win those two games by a combined total of 11 points last season to start out 2-0, but finished at a dismal 4-8 (2-7 in Big 12). Because of that, many Red Raider fans are holding their breath until the game is over and the scarlet and black is 1-0.
Sam Houston State ranks in the top five nationally among FCS schools in both major polls and returns 21 starters from last year’s team, which made it to the FCS semifinals. The Bearkats have more than 20 former FBS players on their roster.
Should the Red Raiders win? Absolutely, but this isn’t your typical directional school walk-in-the-park non-conference win.
Will Texas Tech’s offense put up the type of numbers that fans expect?
Fans in Raiderland are used to seeing one of the nation’s most productive offenses on Saturdays. Last year’s Red Raiders finished 10th in the NCAA in total offense: fifth in pass offense and 80th in rush offense. Can this year’s group surpass that and will it result in more wins?
Tech returns nine starters on offense, including two quarterbacks with starting experience, big-play threats in receivers Jakeem Grant and Devin Lauderdale and running back DeAndre Washington - who rushed for more yards in 2014 than any Red Raider has the past decade. Up front, four seniors and one junior will start on the offensive line in what is the most experienced o-line group in recent history.
On paper, all of the pieces are there for this year’s offense to make a big step forward. Assuming the Red Raiders win this game, the margin of victory will likely be a reflection of how well the offense can get in sync. Whether it’s an accurate assessment or not, the final score will inevitably cause Red Raider fans to raise or lower their expectations for the season.
How much will the defense be improved?
Reports have stated the Red Raiders defense is ahead of schedule under first year defensive coordinator David Gibbs, but how will that translate on the field when it comes to improving last year’s numbers? Texas Tech ranked 95th in pass defense and 120th in rush defense in 2014, those numbers have to go up right?
Ultimately this will come down to three things: third downs, forced turnovers and points allowed. The Red Raiders return seven starters from last year and several others that saw plenty of meaningful minutes. Virtually all of Tech’s defensive line returns from last year as well as a young secondary that showed flashes at times in 2014.
How will the front seven fare on defense?
The defensive line is a very experienced group with seniors Branden Jackson, Rika Levi, Demetrius Alston, Pete Robertson, Keland McElrath and Marcus Smith all back. Add blue-chip recruit, true freshman Breiden Fehoko and this unit has a chance to redeem themselves from last year's 120th ranked run defense.
On the other hand, the linebacker corps is the most inexperienced group on either side of the football, with senior middle linebacker Micah Awe being the most seasoned of the group. How much the Red Raiders run defense will improve will largely depend on how quickly Kris Williams, Malik Jenkins, Sam Atoe and Dakota Allen can adjust and how quickly this group can mature.
Big strides with the front seven could mean a much better season than last year for Texas Tech.
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